What's the holdup in trading Bruce?

The Baseball Night in New York panel discusses the trade market for Jay Bruce and which teams he would fit the best with.

Mets GM Sandy Alderson is operating under a mandate not to spend on new players until he removes money currently on the payroll, according to the New York Post's Joel Sherman.

While Alderson is notorious for wanting to begin the season with budget space to make in-season deals, which he has done the past two years, I hope this is not accurate considering the organization is coming off back-to-back postseason appearances.

In either case, Alderson obviously wants to trade Jay Bruce and his $13 million salary for an established, high-leverage, right-handed relief pitcher, then use his remaining money to sign a left-handed reliever and any pitcher willing to accept a minor-league deal.

Unfortunately, it's not a perfect world and it takes two to tango.

Instead, Bruce is still on the Mets, who have yet to add any new players to their projected roster. At the same time, teams that make the most sense for Bruce have better options, while also dealing with their own set of offseason moving targets.

For instance, the Orioles have spent most of the winter looking for a corner outfielder and a designated hitter while also having a group of high-quality, right-handed relievers they can trade. As a result, it has long seemed like the Mets and Orioles matched up well for Bruce. However, both teams are operating on tight budgets and have more than one need. Similarly, both teams have been trying to trade excess talent and money in an effort to solve one problem, while freeing up enough cash to buy a solution to their second problem.

So, when the Mets reportedly asked for Orioles reliever Brad Brach in a deal for Bruce -- and also wanted Baltimore to pick up Bruce's salary, which would have saved Alderson around $10 million -- it would have put Baltimore over budget, which meant they wouldn't have been able to sign a DH.

In other words, to sign a guy like Pedro Alvarez (assuming Bruce would be in left field and Brach going to New York), the Orioles likely wanted Alderson to pay at least $5-to-6 million of Bruce's salary. The thing is, that would not have left Alderson with enough money to spend on a left-handed relief pitcher and bring down his Opening Day payroll.

Unfortunately for the Mets, the Orioles acquired OF Seth Smith and cash from the Mariners for RHP Yovani Gallardo earlier this week. The deal should save Baltimore roughly $4 million. Of course, it'll take more money than that to sign the other hitter they need, be it an Alvarez or Mark Trumbo. So, maybe Bruce is still an option -- but only if the Mets kick in for his salary.

The point is, if Alderson is trying to flip Bruce for a big-league reliever, it's quite clear he's going to have to pay a portion of Bruce's salary to get it done. There is no other way. Otherwise, he'll be left to move on from that goal, trade Bruce for dirt, and hope he has enough money available to cobble together a bullpen that will likely be without its closer through the first month the season.

Matthew Cerrone (Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Contact) has been the lead writer of MetsBlog.com since 2003, as well as Executive Editor and Director of Digital Content for SNY.TV and host of the MetsBlog Q&ACast, pres. by Citi.

Mets to interview Manny Acta for managerial position this week

5:18PM

Seattle Mariners third base coach Manny Acta during a MLB game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. (Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports)

The Mets will interview Manny Acta for their managerial vacancy later this week, according to ESPN's Buster Olney.

Acta, 48, is currently the third base coach for the Seattle Mariners. He is 372-518 in six seasons as a manager. He managed the Washington Nationals from 2007 to 2009 before he was fired midway through the season, and managed the Indians from 2010 to 2012.

He served as Willie Randolph's third base coach for the Mets from 2005 to 2006.

Robin Ventura hasn't shown interest in Mets' managerial vacancy

5:32PM

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Chicago White Sox manager Robin Ventura looks on before the game against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. (Jeffrey Becker/USA TODAY Sports)

Former White Sox manager and Mets third baseman Robin Ventura is not on New York's list of managerial candidates to replace Terry Collins, since he has not shown interest in the position, according to FanRag Sports' Jon Heyman.

Ventura, who went 375-435 as White Sox manager from 2012 to 2016, was recently given a recommendation by former White Sox and current Yankees third baseman Todd Frazier.

"He's a great manager," Frazier said, according to the New York Post's Mike Puma. "He's a players' coach, he understands the rigors that we go through, when guys need a break."

ICYMI: Mets started manager interviews, have more scheduled this week

5:00PM

General view as the Mets and Phillies stand for the national anthem on opening day game at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Mets reportedly started interviewing candidates last week to be their new manager.

According to multiple reports, Alex Cora, Bob Geren, Chip Hale, Manny Acta, Kevin Long, Joe McEwing, Sandy Alomar Jr., and Mickey Callway are all on Sandy Alderson's list of candidates, with first round interviews expected to be finished by the end of this week.

The 50-year-old Long, who expressed his interest in the job to Alderson, does not have any big league managerial experience. He was the hitting coach for the Yankees from 2007 to 2014, before taking the same role with the Mets prior to the 2015 season. He is returning to the Mets in 2018, but it isn't yet known what his role will be.

"The main thing is being consistent with my swing," he told Norris. "I'm trying to drive the ball... be a little quieter with my body and my hands and making sure the hands come through before the body does. That's the main thing I've been working on since the season ended."

In two games during the AFL, Guillorme has four hits during eight at bats. He has struck out once.

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Tom Seaver's home is fine after California wildfires

2:25PM

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New York Mets former pitcher Tom Seaver poses for a photo as he works in the fields of his vineyard in Calistoga. (Kelley L Cox)

Legendary Mets pitcher and Hall of Famer Tom Seaver's home and vineyards are fine after being threatened by the California wildfires.

Seaver wasforced to flee his home in Calistoga, California last Wednesday due to the wildfires.

Turner signed a minor league deal with the Dodgers after being non-tendered by the Mets in 2013

Justin Turner hit a game-winning, three-run homer against the Cubs in the ninth inning of Game 2 of the NLCS on Sunday night in Los Angeles as the Dodgers moved within two wins of their first World Series appearance since 1988.

Turner's home run was the first walkoff hit by a Dodger in the postseason since Kirk Gibson's walkoff homer against Dennis Eckersley and the A's in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series.

Matthew Cerrone (Twitter | Instagram | About Me): Sandy Alderson's biggest mistakes since taking over as GM continue to be watching Daniel Murphy sign with the Nationals and non-tendering Turner...

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Jerry Blevins hopes to be back in 2018, wants Mets to re-sign Addison Reed

Left-handed reliever Jerry Blevins hopes to be back with the Mets next season.

The Mets have the option to bring Blevins back for one year at $7 million or decline the option and let him become a free agent.

"I would love to come back to New York," Blevins recently told MMO's Matthew Brownstein. "I feel like we have a lot to prove and I think we'll play that underdog role a lot better than we do playing the favorites. Everybody kind of needs a chip on their shoulder. ... I hope to be a part of it."

Mets Managerial Candidate: Mickey Callaway

SNY.tv takes a look at Indians pitching coach Mickey Callaway as a candidate to be the next Mets manager.

For a team whose pitching staff collapsed as epically as the Mets' did in 2017, it makes sense to consider bringing in a manager with pitching expertise. And after helping the Indians put together one of the best group of arms in baseball, that's one metric Mickey Callaway might very well lead the league in.

Since taking on the role of pitching coach in Cleveland in 2013, the pitching staff there made a complete 180. After posting a major league worst ERA in 2012, the Indians have led the American League in ERA every year since then and have put up MLB-best numbers in strikeouts and wins above replacement.

Under Callaway's tutelage, they have developed stars in Danny Salazar, Carlos Carrasco, and Corey Kluber, who may be looking at his second Cy Young Award this year. In many ways, the Indians have reached the heights of pitching that the Mets were expected to, and Callaway receives a lot of the credit. It's also noteworthy that, despite throwing hard, they have generally stayed healthy...

While Cora is also reportedly drawing interest from the Philadelphia Phillies and Detroit Tigers, he is considered Boston's top managerial candidate, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.

A 14-year MLB veteran, Cora has been a GM and manager in the Puerto Rican Winter League and served as the country's GM in the World Baseball Classic this spring. He interviewed for several managerial positions last winter, but ultimately joined Houston's coaching staff last November.

Granderson backs Kevin Long as prime manager candidate

Oct 15 | 9:02AM

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Dodgers outfielder and former Met Curtis Granderson believes Mets' hitting coach Kevin Long has what it takes to succeed in a managerial role.

Long recently interviewed for the Mets' manager position on Friday as the team continues to look for Terry Collins' successor. Among the wide array of candidates are Brad Ausmus, Alex Cora, Robin Ventura, and Joe McEwing to name a few.

Granderson, though, feels that Long can make an impact in the manager role despite his lack of experience...

MLB.com reported earlier this month that the Tigers were interested in McEwing filling their managerial vacancy.

McEwing, who has no big league managerial experience, has coached with the White Sox since the 2012 season. A former Met, McEwing became the hitting coach for the Triple-A Charlotte Knights in 2008. One season later, he was named Manager of the Year for his work with the Class-A Winston-Salem Dash in the South Atlantic League. In 2011, he came back to Charlotte to manage the club.

Mets interviewed Kevin Long for manager on Friday

Oct 14 | 10:45AM

The 50-year-old Long, who expressed his interest in the job to Mets GM Sandy Alderson, does not have any big league managerial experience. He was the hitting coach for the Yankees from 2007 to 2014, before taking the same role with the Mets prior to the 2015 season. He is returning to the Mets in 2018, but it isn't yet known what his role will be.

The Mets recently began conducting their managerial interviews. The opening with the Red Sox and questions surrounding Yankees manager Joe Girardi are expected to impact their search, which you can read more about here...

Mets fans react to Nationals' crushing NLDS loss

The Nats have never won a postseason series

Michelle Ioannou, MetsBlog | Twitter | Saying that Mets fans were happy to see the Nationals lose is an understatement. The thought alone of both the Yankees and Nats going on to the LCS drove Mets fans to the brink of despair, and the relief that this didn't become a reality is a common feeling amongst Mets fans.

Naturally, Mets fans didn't fail when providing their reactions to the Nationals losing. It was a beautiful thing to be in the midst of on Twitter right after Bryce Harper struck out for the final out of Game 5, or in my case, a beautiful thing to wake up to, as I'm currently writing this while out of the country.

Click below for a glimpse at some of the gems...

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Spine doctor believes in David Wright's recovery and chances of playing again

According to Hecht, an orthopedic surgeon and chief of spine surgery for the Mount Sinai Health System, what Wright had done is a straightforward procedure and has a high success rate.

"We see this quite a bit in athletes and many of them have no symptoms at all, but occasionally you see someone symptomatic, like David Wright," Dr. Hecht explained to Mastracco. "Sometimes, despite all of the best efforts of the greatest doctors, somebody doesn't get better with conservative treatment," and surgery is needed.

In the days before and after the season, I'm told Mets GM Sandy Alderson and his staff internally reviewed a list of up to 15 potential candidates.

My understanding is, after pre-screening each person, talking about them with people outside the organization and gauging interest, that list has been whittled down to between six and 10 viable options, all of whom will have been formally interviewed before the end of next week.

Nido, Guillorme, Jannis among Mets playing in Arizona Fall League

Oct 13 | 12:30PM

The full list of Mets players participating -- all with the Scottsdale Scorpions -- can be viewed here.

The 23-year-old Nido, who made his Mets debut this season, has gone 2-for-7 with a homer in two AFL games.

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Mets expected to consider Mickey Callaway for manager

The 42-year-old Callaway is currently the Indians' pitching coach

Oct 13 | 9:45AM

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Oct 6, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians pitching coach Mickey Callaway (13) visits the mound against the New York Yankees during the first inning in game two of the 2017 ALDS at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports (Ken Blaze)

The Mets are showing interest in Indians pitching coach Mickey Callaway as a candidate for their managerial opening, sources told Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.

Callaway is also receiving interest from the Phillies, who he will interview with for their managerial opening, according to Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com.

The 42-year-old Callaway became the Indians' pitching coach in 2013 in what was his first major league coaching job. Before moving into that role, he was the team's minor league coordinator.

Oct 12 | 7:32PM

In this week's Meet the MetsCast, MetsBlog's Matthew Cerrone, comedian Steve Hofstetter, and SiriusXM's Rob Brender break down Sandy Alderson's search for a new manager, while discussing what they think he should (and will) do.

The trio end the show discussing how to handle a potential Nationals-Yankees World Series and whether Washington's Triple-A team should be forced to move to Vegas now that the Mets own the team in Syracuse.

Mets Managerial Candidate: Bob Geren

SNY.tv takes a look at Dodgers bench coach Bob Geren as a candidate to be the next Mets manager.

When Terry Collins's position officially opened, it was no surprise that Bob Geren's name was one of the first mentioned. With past managing experience and prior ties to the team, he is a classic Sandy Alderson managerial candidate, though whether he will be their final choice remains to be seen.

While his career lacked the longevity of Alex Cora's, Geren saw his share of playing time, spending four years catching for the Yankees, and one more for San Diego. After retiring at age 32, he took on managing roles for Red Sox minor league teams, before moving over to the Athletics organization in similar roles. It was in Oakland that he got his first shot at the major leagues, first as bullpen coach and bench coach and then as manager, beginning in 2007.

Geren's time as manager of the A's was a mixed bag. He was given mediocre teams to work with, which generally performed as expected, but the front office consistently expressed confidence in him, extending his contract and twice picking up options on him. In 2011, though, there were public complaints from current and former players about his communication and distribution of playing time. Just two weeks later, following a brutal losing streak, he was let go...

Oct 11 | 12:30PM

SNY.tv takes a look at former Mets third baseman Robin Ventura as a candidate to be Mets manager in 2018.

Yankees 3B Todd Frazier, who spent a year and a half with the White Sox, believes Robin Ventura would be a great fit to manage the Mets, he told Mike Puma of the NY Post.

"He's a great manager," Frazier said of his time playing for Ventura. "He's a players' coach. He understands the rigors that we go through, when guys need a break. ... He understands the game."

"He lets the veterans take over the team, but he expects a lot from the young guys, too," Frazier continued, according to Puma. "I would say he's a great choice to manage the Mets. He's played there before, it's an obvious choice. I had a lot of fun playing for him."

Red Sox fire John Farrell, will immediately begin managerial search

Farrell is not seen as a fit for the Mets' opening

Oct 11 | 9:52AM

The Red Sox have fired manager John Farrell and will immediately begin their search for a replacement, the team announced Wednesday.

Farrell led the Red Sox to a World Championship in 2013, but lost in the ALDS each of the last two seasons, including being eliminated earlier this week by Astros.

According to the NY Post's Mike Puma, while the Mets do not have interest in Ferrell, Boston will likely have interest in interviewing Brad Ausmus and Alex Cora , both of whom are reportedly on Sandy Alderson's current list of candidates to replace Terry Collins.

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Mets Manager Search Update: Brad Ausmus is eager to manage next season

The Mets are reportedly interested in Ausmus, who is eager to find a new job after being let go by the Tigers

Oct 11 | 8:48AM

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The Sandy Bunch: Brad Ausmus00:00:36

SNY.tv takes a look at former Tigers manager Brad Ausmus as a candidate to be the next Mets manager.

Former Tigers manager Brad Ausmus is hoping to land a new job managing in baseball, MLB reporter Ken Rosenthal said Tuesday on the MLB Network.

"He is eager to work again, right away," Rosenthal said after speaking to Ausmus.

The Mets' Triple-A affiliate will move from Las Vegas to Syracuse in 2019

Cashman Field, where the Mets' affiliate has played since 2013, is a detriment for pitchers

Mets' COO Jeff Wilpon discusses the purchase of the Syracuse Chiefs and bringing Mets baseball back to Syracuse after the 2018 season.

The Mets will buy the Syracuse Chiefs of the International League and move their Triple-A affiliate from Las Vegas, NV to Syracuse, NY, playing at NBT Bank Stadium in Syracuse through at least 2025.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the Mets' agreement with the Chiefs on Tuesday in Syracuse, with Mets COO Jeff Wilpon saying the Mets "look forward to the opportunity to work with the staff to continue to bring affordable, family entertainment to baseball fans in Syracuse."

The move will occur after the 2018 season, finally ending the organziation's five years out west.

Mets Managerial Candidate: Charlie Montoyo

While most names connected to the Mets managerial search have had some past affiliation with the team, one that might be new to Mets fans is Charlie Montoyo, current third base coach for the Rays.

On-field, Montoyo's career was short and unmemorable. He spent nine years in the minors as an infielder and saw major league action in just four games with the Expos in 1993. He retired at age 30 in 1996 before launching his career as a coach, with the brand new Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

Working at every level of the Rays organization, Montoyo has built an impressive resume. Most notably, he spent eight years as their Triple-A manager, leading the Durham Bulls to six division championships and two league championships. He holds the team record for most managerial wins and has been inducted to the International League Hall of Fame in recognition of his success in that role, which exposed him to a lot of the young talent that fueled the Rays' playoff runs beginning in 2008...

Mets Managerial Candidate: Kevin Long

SNY.tv takes a look at Mets hitting coach Kevin Long as a candidate to be the next Mets manager.

There's a lot of skepticism at the true impact a hitting coach can have on a swing decades in the making, but one of the few who has undeniably made his mark is Kevin Long. That talent has made him invaluable to the Mets and has pushed his name near the top of the list of managerial candidates.

Long has had a significant effect on Mets hitting since joing the team in 2015. He translated the organizational focus on plate discipline -- not necessarily with the goal of drawing walks, but with the goal of finding a pitch to drive -- in a way that clicked for many of their hitters.

Curtis Granderson, who had sung Long's praises since they worked together in the Bronx, rebounded from a rough Mets debut to put together one of the best seasons of his career. Yoenis Cespedes, Neil Walker, and Asdrubal Cabrera both saw big spikes in on base percentage working under Long as well. And Long's intense work with Daniel Murphy certainly seems to have paid off as well, albeit not for the Mets...

Oct 8 | 5:30PM

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General view as the Mets and Phillies stand for the national anthem on opening day game at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

In this week's Meet the MetsCast, MetsBlog's Matthew Cerrone, comedian Steve Hofstetter, and SiriusXM's Rob Brender look back at how their pre-season predictions from Episode 1 played out during the year, after which they discuss Sandy Alderson's search for a new manager...

SEE IT: Keith Hernandez reunited with Larry David

Oct 8 | 1:39PM

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May 28, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets former first baseman Keith Hernandez is introduced to the crowd during a pregame ceremony honoring the 1986 World Series Championship team prior to the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports (Andy Marlin)

SNY's Keith Hernandez, currently working the postseason for FOX, caught up with Larry David on Sunday.

Click below to see

David was the lead writer of "Seinfeld" when the show recruited Hernandez to make a brief appearance in 1992.

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How Terry Collins taught me to love the game like a kid

By Andy Martino | Oct 8 | 7:15PM

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(Derik Hamilton)

Andy Martino, SNY.tv | Twitter | Terry Collins was in the first days of his final chance when he agreed to meet me at a Bob Evans restaurant in Port St. Lucie, Fla. It was a brisk February morning in 2011, and I was assigned to write a feature about the new manager.

After several losing seasons, the Mets were at the beginning of a rebuilding process -- and everyone knew that Collins would be long gone by the time they started winning again, if not sooner. He was 61, had flamed out spectacularly in two previous jobs, and had a reputation as one of the most tightly wound old-schooler in the game. "There's no way he makes it through the season," said one of the other writers after his introductory news conference, and it seemed like a reasonable prediction.

But the Collins who sat with me that morning, ignoring a bowl of oatmeal while talking a mile a minute, was not angry. He was simply excited -- more excited about a baseball season than anyone I'd ever seen. He locked me into intense eye contact when making the case for Mike Pelfrey as his opening day starter, and stabbed the air with an index finger while breaking down Daniel Murphy's swing. He went through the entire roster, like it was the most important subject anyone had ever discussed...

Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa voiced his support for possible Mets managerial candidate Chip Hale in an interview with the New York Post.

"Chip is really an intelligent guy and he's a competitive guy," La Russa said . "You put those two things together, and he's got some personality, so you go into New York and you have got personality, smarts, toughness, that works there. It works anywhere, but you get tested in New York."

The Mets have hired Tony DeFrancesco as the manager for Triple-A Las Vegas, per FanRag Sports' Jon Heyman.

DeFrancesco is an experienced manager, especially in Triple-A where he spent 13 seasons. His first stint was in 2003 with the Sacremento River Cats. He would spend six seasons there before heading to Houston to manage their Triple-A Oklahoma City Redhawks.

DeFrancesco was called up in 2012 to manage the Astros as interim manager. He went 16-25 in his 41 games in the major leagues.

The 54-year-old last coached for Houston's Triple-A Fresno affiliate in 2016. DeFrancesco has a .555 win percentage in over 1800 games managed in Triple-A.

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Boras says Harvey's offseason plan will include 'substantial' throwing program

"The idea is to have a lot of reps to get his fastball command back and get his release point down," Boras explained.

Harvey had a tumultuous 2017 season as injuries plagued his performance. After surgery last season to remove a rib in order to relieve thoracic outlet syndrome symptoms, Harvey suffered a stress injury to his shoulder this season and missed several months. After returning, he had a 11.28 ERA in six starts...

Alomar, 51, is the first base coach for the Cleveland Indians, who are currently facing the Yankees in the ALDS. He began his coaching career as a catching instructor for the Mets in 2008 and 2009. He has been on Cleveland's coaching staff since 2009, and was reportedly a finalist for the Blue Jays' managerial job prior to the 2011 season.

He was interim manager of the Indians for six games in 2012 after the team fired Manny Acta...

Colon, 44, had a 3.90 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with the Mets from 2014 to 2016 before struggling in 2017 with the Braves and Twins.

Michelle Ioannou, MetsBlog | Twitter | Do I want Bartolo Colon back on the Mets? Of course I do. Yes, he ended 2017 with a 6.48 ERA (posting an 8.14 ERA with the Braves). But it's important to note the vast improvement Colon made moving from Atlanta to Minnesota, where he had a 5.18 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in 80 innings.

Bobby V glad Alderson is considering Ventura and McEwing

Oct 6 | 12:00PM

SNY.tv takes a look at former Mets third baseman Robin Ventura as a candidate to be Mets manager in 2018.

Robin Ventura and Joe McEwing are reportedly on Sandy Alderson's list of potential candidates to replace Terry Collins, who announced last week that he was stepping down as the team's manager.

According to Bobby Valentine, Alderson is smart to consider both men...

"There's a few hundred guys that I have managed, but these two are in a special class of people," Valentine said Thursday, according to the NY Post. "I think it is a wonderful step in the right direction, when you are hiring for any position, that you have the opportunity to hire a good person. I think great people make great leaders."

Indians paid up for Bruce, rewarded in ALDS with huge HR

By Matthew Cerrone | Oct 6 | 9:26AM

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Oct 5, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians right fielder Jay Bruce (32) hits a two run home run during the fourth inning against the New York Yankees in game one of the 2017 ALDS at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports (Ken Blaze)

Indians OF Jay Bruce hit a two-run home run, had three RBI and scored twice Thursday night during Cleveland's 4-0 win against the Yankees in Game 1 of the ALDS.

The Mets traded Bruce and the $3.7 million remaining on his contract to the Indians in early August for 22-year-old minor-league pitcher Ryder Ryan.

"I couldn't have fallen into a better situation," Bruce said after Thursday's win. "Obviously, when you get traded and you're in trade rumors, it's usually to a contender or a team that's contending at the moment. For whatever reason, I ended up here."

No longer on Mets' 40-man roster, Edgin elects free agency

Oct 6 | 8:18AM

New York Mets relief pitcher Josh Edgin throws to the Washington Nationals during the fifth inning at Nationals Park. (Brad Mills/USA TODAY Sports)

Mets LHP Josh Edgin has elected to become a free agent after New York designated him for assignment and he cleared waivers earlier this season, according to Metsmerized's Michael Mayer.

Edgin, 30, was outrighted to Triple-A as Vegas in August to make room on the 40- and 25-man rosters for AJ Ramos..

The Mets' 30th-round pick in 2010, Edgin underwent arthroscopic surgery on his knee in September. He went 0-1 with a 3.65 ERA in 46 relief appearances for New York this season, striking out 27 batters and walking 18 in 37 innings.

In his five-year career, Edgin was 4-4 with a 3.49 ERA in 177 games with two saves, 116 strikeouts and 52 walks in 129 innings pitched.

"Through this entire rehab process, I have been driven to get back on the field as quickly as I can," Wright said in a statement. "That's why I had the shoulder surgery and that's why today I underwent back surgery to reduce the risk of further issues going forward. With these two surgeries behind me, I hope to be able to put on a Mets uniform again as soon as possible. My desire to play is as strong as ever."

Jay Bruce is disappointed that former teammates ripped Collins

Sep 26, 2014; Alderson in the dugout before a game at Citi Field. Credit: Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Indians OF Jay Bruce enjoyed his time playing for Terry Collins, but he is not surprised to see the Mets looking for new leadership, he told reporters Wednesday in Cleveland.

"I don't think it was hard to see," Bruce explained, according to Newsday. "I think that a lot of times in sports they feel like a shakeup needs to happen. The old saying is you can't fire 25 guys, so a lot of times managerial changes happen. I wish Terry the best in whatever he does next."

Bruce, who was traded in August, to the Indians for low-level reliever Ryder Ryan, also said he was disappointed see anonymous teammates being critical of Collins.

"Terry and I had a great relationship," Bruce concluded. "You would like to see people, if they do have a problem, approach him about it, talk to him about it, and not let it out through the media. But losing causes a lot of that stuff. If they're back in the playoffs this year, have a good season, no one's talking about any of it. It's an unfortunate situation, but the reality is it's kind of part of the game."

By Matthew Cerrone | Oct 5 | 10:25AM

Cora, 44, is among several candidates reportedly being considered by Sandy Alderson, who said Tuesday that he hopes to begin conducting preliminary interviews as early as this week.

In his first year coaching in professional baseball, Cora is working under Astros manager A.J. Hinch as the team's bench coach. Houston won 101 games this season and will face the Red Sox in the ALDS starting today.

According to Beltran, as bench coach, Cora played a significant role in helping build team chemistry and improving how players communicate with the coaching staff...

McEwing is reportedly on Sandy Alderson's list of potential candidates to replace Terry Collins, who announced last week that he was stepping down as the team's manager. Collins accepted an advisory position in Alderson's front office.

The Tigers recently announced that they will not be giving a new contract to Brad Ausmus, who had been managing the team since 2014...

With season in rear-view, Mets undergoing vast changes for 2018

Michelle Ioannou, MetsBlog | Twitter | The 2017 season was not supposed to go the way that it did. Mets fans were supposed to be basking in October baseball bliss, celebrating entering the postseason for the third year in a row. Instead, all Mets fans are doing is basking in some of the much needed changes that have been made in the mere 96 hours since the season ended.

That's not a bad thing. In fact, it's a great thing to be basking in, especially after all of the injuries and other questionable decisions that happened throughout this season. MRIs not being taken, minor leaguers not being ready for the bigs even though they should be, injury after injury after injury... I don't have to go into detail, you all know how horrid this season was.

It was the opposite of how any of us thought it was supposed to go, with literally everyone thinking this was a playoff team. The pitching was there and finally together. The big bats were there, especially with Yoenis Cespedes's extended contract. No one could have expected the season to go the way it did. And if you did suspect that, you really need to go and play lotto...

Mets Managerial Candidate: Alex Cora

SNY.tv takes a look at former Met and current Astros bench coach Alex Cora as a candidate for the Mets managerial position.

Of the many names being floated as potential future managers for the Mets, one that has garnered a lot of interest is Alex Cora. Expected to interview soon, his youth and relative lack of managerial experience may put him at a slight disadvantage, but he has a lot to offer a team in transition.

Cora is not a new name to Mets fans -- his 14-year stint in the majors included a brief stop in Queens. Already near the end of a mediocre at best on-field career, his performance with the Mets was quite poor (a .597 OPS over 2 years), but even then, in 2010, he received raves for his clubhouse presence. And there was a widespread assumption he would eventually go into managing.

Since retiring from professional baseball in 2012, Cora spent some time broadcasting, but most notably joined the Astros as a bench coach for the 2017 season...